07/30/2026
“Skip a heat so she can rest.”
Sounds nice… except that’s not actually how a dog’s body works.
Let’s clear some things up 👇
A female dog does NOT “rest” when you skip a cycle.
She still goes through the full hormonal swing, including prolonged progesterone exposure!
As explained by Dr. Robert Hutchison, skipping a heat does nothing to “give the uterus a break”—the body doesn’t know the difference.
Those repeated empty cycles?
They’re actually linked to increased risk of uterine issues like pyometra and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.
✨️That’s reproductive science, not opinion.✨️
Meanwhile, reproductive specialists (including guidance aligned with the Society for Theriogenology) acknowledge that breeding on consecutive cycles are appropriate for a healthy, well-managed female.
Now let’s talk about the part people really don’t like 👇
⚠️I follow a “breed young, retire early” program.⚠️
Because here’s the reality:
Fertility declines with age. Risks go up. Recovery gets harder.
So instead of dragging breeding out for years by skipping heats…
I breed in a female’s prime, healthiest years and then retire her early.
That means:
✔️ Fewer total years being bred
✔️ Avoiding high-risk older-age litters
✔️ Letting her move on to the couch life sooner
Not later.
Let’s be honest for a second—
A lot of the “skip every other heat” advice gets repeated because it sounds more ethical… not because it’s backed by how the canine reproductive system actually functions.
‼️Dogs aren’t humans.‼️
They are biologically designed to either:
✔️ Be bred
✔️ Or be spayed
Not to cycle over and over with no purpose.
I STRONGLY believe that if a dog isn't being bred they need to be spayed or neutered- no discussion!
What this looks like in my program:
✔️ Fully health tested, mature females only
✔️ Bred in peak condition
✔️ No unnecessary skipped cycles
✔️ Retired young and living their best spoiled lives
You don’t have to agree with my program—
but it is based on reproductive science, veterinary guidance, and doing what’s best for the dog long-term.
And I’ll stand on that 💯
Taken from SJs Dachshunds
Originally shared by Brenda Schaller!
I’m going to add my two cents ! I don’t breed every bitch every heat ! There are times my vet will advise to skip and I do so but this the best for our dogs! It this is an excellent reminder for us all!
